US keen to work with new Philippines leader

The United States said Tuesday it was keen to work with whoever wins the presidential election in the Philippines, after foul-mouthed populist Rodrigo Duterte claimed victory. “We look forward to working with and congratulating the winner,” State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said, after the 71-year-old firebrand declared himself the winner of Monday’s voting. Trudeau stressed that official results had not yet been confirmed, but said the United States would work with whichever candidate emerges on top.